Dream Star

If Haruka learns that her eating disorder is because of him, he would feel guilty. Maybe he would even stay with her for a bit. Initially, Rikka planned to use that card. She even tried to seduce him. "Such shameless actions." However, Haruka didn"t fall for it at all. Haruka knew she was only pretending. He saw right through her.

Rikka"s thoughts broke off when she hears a familiar ring tone. Since she back, she"s been with Haruka quite a bit. So by now, she was familiar with the ring tones he used for certain people.

"My wife," Haruka"s gaze turned tender when he accepted the video call. From where she was, Rikka saw that Teras.h.i.+ma Lila was inside a fancy restaurant.

"Ah, you listened to me."

"I"m good, aren"t I hubby?"

"Yes, you are. What"s up?"

"Um, I miss you. Will you come soon?"

"She has a bit of a fever. I"ll be there soon after making her food."

"You"re at her place?"

"Yeah, the apartment I told you before.."

"He told her?" Rikka thought. No, of course, he told her. Judging from what she has seen so far, Haruka is different around Teras.h.i.+ma Lila. Unlike before where she had to pick fights with him to understand his feelings. Teras.h.i.+ma Lila can get any information.

Haruka walked over, phone still in hand. "Lila says she wants to speak to you."

He adjusted the phone, so she could see. Haruka picked up the empty plates and walked over to the kitchen.

"Ah Rikksan, merry Christmas. Please take care of your health more."

"I will...and you too," she murmured. She was never the talkative type before. So Rikka didn"t know what to say.

"Haruka saved you, right? Isn"t he very kind."

"He is...I"m a bit surprised."

These things about Haruka. She didn"t know any of it before. He"s always been like this? Habits like this don"t appear out of nowhere. During the time they were together, she didn"t notice.

Lila laughed, "I know this is strange coming from me. And I debated about it for a bit. But, I decided I"ll tell you since he never will. He never specifically mentioned you to me before. However, he always spoke about an old friend who taught him many things. That person is you. Haruka never forgot you during the time you broke up. He hesitated dating me too. He hesitated because of you. I"m not stupid, Haruka eventually told me."

"That means nothing."

"Right, it means nothing now," Lila agreed. "But, it did up till half a year ago. Say, Rikksan. Please talk to him from now on, about what happened then, what you were really thinking. When the new year comes by, you"ll have a lot of chances."

Rikka immediately understood what she meant by that.

"Is that really okay with you? If you leave him alone, who knows what I will do," Rikka was trying to sound threatening. But she failed. Lila was still smiling brightly.

"I believe in him, and I believe in you."

With those words said, the girl ended the call. Rikka remained frozen as she looked at the screen. Belief? What is that all about Such a strange girl. Believe huh? Back then, she became so emotional. She didn"t think for one second that it was a trap. Why didn"t she stay with him that day? The s.e.x was emotional the previous night. But it calmed them both down. Why did she have to start fighting with him again in the morning?

"She must be crazy." What on earth was with her att.i.tude that day? However, alongside those photos with Lila and Haruka. The media also sent her some other pictures of the two hanging out. That smile, that face - Haruka never looks like that around her. Those people deliberately sent it to her. They clearly intended to start a rift between her and Haruka. She knew that, so why did she go crazy?

...

The year 2035 - January 30th

Her gaze fell on the man fast asleep beside her. "He"s good looking." One of the main reasons why she went out with him was because of his good looks. But, if he weren"t a good person, she wouldn"t have moved in with him. Rikka felt sore all over, and yet she stood up to go inside the bathroom. She immediately put the shower on, and droplets of water came out. Is this really it? Should she leave after this?

Can they still return to normal?

Both of them cheated….

Her thoughts broke off, feeling a presence behind her. Rikka, however, couldn"t say a word.

She said those terrible things. Rikka didn"t know what to say to him anymore.

"Rikka," Haruka muttered softly against her skin.

It pained her, hearing his voice.

Something"s already wrong here. Yet Rikka turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck. She allowed him to do whatever he wanted. It"s okay, after this - after this, she will end it for good.

...

Present

When Rikka snapped out of her daze, she glanced up and found Haruka on the chair beside her. He was fiddling around on his phone. "Is he still messaging her?" If he wants to leave, he should leave already.

"What? You keep staring."

"Because your face is handsome."

Haruka laughed, "Well, you always did like good looking men I"m lucky. Otherwise, you would have kicked me to the curb already."

That"s what he thinks, huh? Sure she liked good-looking men. But — Haruka reached over and placed a cooling pad on her forehead. "You"re sweating a lot.."

"..."

"Hmmm," Haruka muttered. He stood up and placed his hands on her cheeks and then back of her neck. However, he loses his footing.

It happened all too quickly for her. Before she knew it, Haruka was hovering over her. Their lips lightly made contact.

Haruka drew back from her, and yet Rukka reached out. "Sorry, but just...lay beside me for a few minutes. I won"t do anything weird."

"Alright."

Despite his reluctance, Haruka immediately laid down after agreeing with her.

"What does she intend to do with this situation?" Rikka didn"t even know why she asked for something like this. Her gaze fell on the man who had closed his eyes. Why did he even agree? She really doesn"t understand anymore. What does she want from Haruka?

"Haruka."

"Feel sick?" He immediately opened his eyes and turned to her with a concerned gaze. Ah...this person is genuinely foolish.

"Did you want to get back together with me..?"

"I did, back when Lila came here. I figured that while I loved her. I couldn"t just let things end like that between us. Maybe I wanted closure. We had a bad break up."

Indeed, they"d did. They didn"t say it officially. But both of them knew it was over. After not speaking to one another for so long. The next time she saw Haruka, he was making out with some random girls. "Did he revert back to his old ways?"

Rikka then saw Teras.h.i.+ma Lila going up to him, and Haruka would fawn over her instead. Those other girls would, later on, try to attack Teras.h.i.+ma Lila, only to have Haruka scold them. She already saw how close they were. So why did she bother?

The sensation of the brief and accidental kiss had yet to leave her. Maybe that"s why she did something stupid. Rikka is kissing him heavily before long, their tongues intertwined with one another. After a few minutes, she drew him back from her. "Thank you…"

Haruka looked at her with a pained gaze. He wiped his lips and sighed. "Let"s..talk later...we should, right?"

"Haruka...I.."

"Don"t apologize," he trailed off and lightly caressed her cheeks. "I won"t apologize either. But Rikka, you know you shouldn"t have done that."

"I know."

Of course, she knew. But somehow, when she saw him, she just - all those emotions poured out.

Rikka noticed his gaze on the clock. "I"m really late now… I don"t want her to catch a cold. She probably went outside again… Listen," Haruka muttered. "I"ll see you after I"m done. I"ll drop by even if it"s late."

"You don"t have to. Make memories with her; it"s your first Christmas together."

"Then, I"ll see you during the new year, okay?"

In five days.. Rikka swallowed; she knew the reason why. Haruka plans to spoil Teras.h.i.+ma Lila till the new year. He specifically asked for time off.

"Yes."

Haruka nodded and drew his hand back. He walked over to the door and put his shoes on. Rikka remained frozen for a few minutes before she followed after him.

She reached over and hugged him from the back. "I really am sorry. I know you told me not to apologize, but I feel bad. What I did and what I asked you was wrong. Please forget about it, and just focus on your wife. You don"t have to be considerate of my feelings."

"Merry Christmas," Haruka placed something down on the ground. Her eyes widened when she saw the small box. Before Rikka could say a word, Haruka already turned the door handle and left.

Rikka recognized the box, of course. It was old and battered. That"s the same one that was inside his bag that day. She caught a glimpse of it when they were having s.e.x. Was it for her?

Stupid, why did she kiss him? She just ruined his goodwill and kindness. Rikka picked up the box. "This gift, he kept it this entire time." Pain emerged in her heart.